La Rondine

60 minutes…my lunch break is usually around 60 minutes. Even in Aoyama lunchtime restaurants are not so sexy…filled with businessmen and sometimes all they do is just complain about their jobs.

I have a perfect Italian getaway during my break. Not only the food is perfect, but the atmosphere of the restaurant is also my pick. I could even forget that I am on my lunch break. The restaurant is only an alley away from busy Aoyama Street – so quiet, clean and classy.

I need to give this restaurant ★★★★★ for their lunch selection.
I am sure the dinner is fabulous as well…I wonder who will take me out to the dinner rendezvous...

Gosh, I sound so desperate :(

La Rondine
http://www.la-rondine.jp/

Mogami

...so I met up with my friend in front of Sanno Park Tower to grab a quick after-work champagne on the 26th floor. Right next to Shunjyu, there is a nice quiet bar there. (Here is Shunjyu's link. Great place for dinner, but just OK for lunch... http://www.shunju.com/ja/restaurants/tameikesanno/)

After a drink each, he and I had to head out to this kushiage restaurant in Akasaka to meet up with our friends.

It was kind of weird because my male friend made comments about me a few times saying, 'yeah, you know how she is.' I just thought it was strange because he didn't know me too well, but he acted like he knew me super well. I was thinking, 'dude, we only saw each other 4 times before this meeting, and it was 5 years ago!' Yes, guys, he and I went on dates 4 times 5 years ago...and honestly, I looked great last night, but I was a bit surprised to see how fast he aged. (OK, now I am a big 'B'!)

Kushiage was great. I think I did 11 or 12 kushiage. I am sure other kushiage restaurants are the same, but this restaurant, Mogami keeps serving kushiage until you tell them to stop. We could pick our sweets at the end, I had edamame ice cream...not bad at all.

I like to give ★★★for this restaurant.
I could put extra star for Mogami, but you all would wish if the location was somewhere else...us girls feel uncomfy to be right in front of Pachinko place!!!

Mogami
http://www.kushi-mogami.co.jp/

Harem

Spring has come~. Lovely season, isn't it?
Oh, I wish I could say that honestly. I am having this terrible pollen allergy that I am crying with runny nose. I am hoping this beautiful spring season to end as soon as possible...sigh.

Since my throat is itchy as hell, I somehow crave for anything with bubbles...
I had this urgent craving for champagne last night, and I just wanted to have a glass of it over nice dinner.

So we did. My gal pal and I ended up walking out of Nine West VIP Family Sale without a single pair of shoes, but we decided to spend the shoe money on our dinner and drink. The restaurant was full of older man (50s?) and we (somehow) found a Japanese actress, Hisako Manda...very pretty for her age. Maybe because they have a dance show on Tueday and Thursday at 8:30pm, the place was packed. We were so lucky to have out table without a reservation!

The food was so exotic. I loved them all. Of course, having my urgent champagne helped me to rate this restaurant with more stars, but I would definitely go back to this place to try other things on the menu.

We ended up leaving before the dance show...next time I'd make sure to be there at 8:30pm on Tuesday (or Thursday.)

Great restaurant...simply loved it.

Harem
http://www.harem.co.jp/

Karo

I haven't updated this blog for a while...oh, no...not that I hadn't eaten outside..., but you know how it could be when you were heartbroken...I didn't feel like doing anything.

Tell you the truth, my ex and I are communicating again. (But we are not back together...fyi.)

Last night my friend decided to take me out for this 'cheer-up' dinner. Well, I told him I wanted to go to this Spanish restaurant in Meguro, but it was full before 7pm. (I knew it, I knew it...I was disappointed that he didn't make reservation!)

So he ended up taking me out to this Japanese izakaya on Gonnosuke-zaka Street near Meguro station. I was a bit surprised that the place was more spacious than I thought. The food was good; it was better than regular izakaya. I had sashimi plate, deep fried Taro potato and grilled vegetable along with glass of beer. They had a full menu for sashimi. I guess it could be a good place for sashimi lover. (Sorry, I am not a big raw fish digger.)

Izakaya price but fresh tasty food...that's what it was.
My verdict? It might be a good place to hang out as a group. But I wouldn't pick the place for my date...Just perfect casual hang out with great Japanese food.

Karo
http://www.gonnosuke-karo.com/

Kasei Sakaba

It was super cold and windy last night, but my beautician/therapist and I were ready for our catch up...

We met up at Meguro station and headed out for monjya yaki restaurant. I liked this place when I visited for the first time...this place made me feel like I had time-traveled to Tokyo in Showa era.

...so we ordered hot drink and monjya yaki and started talking about our men. Of course, the conversation would never solve our issues or problems, but girl's talk is all about cheering each other (so we don't have to feel shitty...ha.)

After spellbinding ourselves with comforting words and food, we were ready to string ourselves into a new era.

I don't think I can forget or completely be over with my 'on-hold,' but I am making a progress bringing myself into focus...slowly but surely.

http://gourmet.gyao.jp/0004011995/

Katsina

TGIF! Finally the end of work week. I was wondering about my plan tonight when my MSN messenger sent me a message from someone unexpected. My ex boyfriend from US pinged me...wow...

He said he was in Japan near Shibuya. Apparently he emailed me on Monday, but I never check my hotmail, so I didn't receive it. He said he was staying here till Sunday, and he wanted to see me for lunch today. (Sorry for talking about my 'day' gig today...)

Well, I just came back from my rendez-vous lunch at Katsina. I use this restaurant as my lay back relaxing lunch spot at least twice a month. Of course, their food is good, but what I like about this place is the spacious dining area where I can literally sink myself into the sofa.

OK, so let's get back to my lunch with ex...

He was still the same except he was more mature and sophisticated. Back in US he was known as a crazy boy...I mean...from the beginning it was crazy. Instead of nice meeting you ritual, he bit my hands...oh, what else, he was super good at singing and dancing Prince to me...and he was laying down on a kitchen counter waiting for me when I visited his place for the first time...oh, he was CRAZY and lots of fun!

I somehow miss the crazy time with him. I guess I grew older? I don't know what it is, but it all became a sweet memory of my youth. As I was having my last sip of coffee, I jumped out of my daydream.

Am I desperate to find an escape hatch from reality? I am not sure.
But at least lunch time caffeine has woken me up this time.

http://www.katsina.biz/

Marche de Metro

I am getting ready for my long bath right now...oh, I cannot wait to relax!

Tonight my co-worker took me to this quick bite place called, Marche de Metro, in Omotesando Station. It is located in the actual station, but wow~it is like a French influenced food court. It is a perfect spot if you want to grab something quick and easy. They even serve wine and beer there. Well, I was determined to relax tonight, so I had no drink with my Tom Yum Pho, but it was definitely a place to be if you were to hang out with your friends during your busy schedule.

I was expecting fast-food-quality food, but it was actually better than some restaurants I'd been to.

Here is the map...
http://www.tokyometro.jp/echika/map/marche/index.html

Perfect little spot in this weather...no walking in the cold rain.